Building Tensions

21 July- Grand Duchy forces have encountered several armed groups crossing the frontier from Schluppity-Schlupp but have been prevented from pursuit by Schlupp forces.




26 July- A squadron of Hippo-Heimer cavalry was forced to surrender to Schlupp forces after straying across the border in pursuit of a rebel band calling itself the Legion of Peace. Count Wilhelm has called for the immediate release of his forces but there has been no reply.



3 August- The Regency Council issued a statement claiming that the disgraced former Marshal of the Grand Duchy, Baron Von Stinken, is the force behind the growing unrest. After having fled prosecution for tax evasion, horse thievery, and sodomy last year, the Baron Von Stinken has been residing with his cousin, the Baron of Schluppity-Schlupp. Von Stinken’s new wife, the daughter of the Baron of Gluppity-Glupp, is said to want Von Stinken to have lands of his own.



6 August- The town of Gwernhoff has taken up arms in open rebellion against the Regency. The local militia regiment has begun to fortify the town and has called on the Legion of Peace to save them from the machinations of Count Wilhelm and his Regency lackeys.



12 August- Hippo-Heimer forces surrounded the rebels in Gwernhoff, demanding unconditional surrender. There has been no reply from the besieged rebels.



19 August- The Baron of Schuppity-Sclupp stated that Schlupp forces will conduct a large scale training exercise next month.



23 August- The Katzian ambassador to the Barony of Schluppity-Schlupp has been recalled to Whoville for consultations.



28 August- The Regency Council has granted Katzenstein the rights to station a pair of gunboats at Merlichetic in support of the ongoing efforts to repair the Bunting Canal. The Kingdom of Didd is sure to be very displeased about the growing Katzian military presence along the River Iller.

Conflict on the horizon

26 May- In appreciate for the forces dispatched to assist in the recovery at Merlichetic, Count Wilhelm has given a gift of one thousand fine horses to the King of Katzenstein. The appreciate King is said to have directed that the horses will be used to remount several units that suffered from last year's devastating Equine Flu.




15 June- There have been over a dozen more attacks in Hippo-Heimer despite the reinforcement of the Army of Relief with three more battalions from Katzenstein and a Regiment of Dragoons from Kleck. In other news, the Kingdom of Katzenstein has signed a ten year lease to use a dock in the capital of the District of Doft. Two large gunboats and a pair of river barges will be based at Giftzwing to patrol the River Iller.



28 June- After a major raid on the small hamlet of Homlet was repulsed by the local militia, the Army of Relief launched a spirited pursuit of the attackers. Catching a group attempting to escape up a steep path, a squadron from the Boober Bay Uhlans killed two score of the enemy and took several prisoners. A second group is still being pursued by the volunteer Frei Korps provided by the County of Keck.



29 June- The Army of Relief, working in concert with the Katzian River Patrol has followed the fleeing enemy up the River Fromm (a tributary of the River Iller separating Didd and the Barony of Gluppity-Glupp).



30 June- There are reports of a minor clash between the Allied forces pursuing the bandits up the Fromm and forces of the Barony of Gluppity-Glupp defending a river fort at a bridge over the Fromm. While casualties are reportedly light, the pursuit has been halted and the force is now sailing back down the tributary.



1 July- A series of diplomatic notes have been exchanged by the ambassadors of
Katzenstein, Didd, Hippo-Heimer, Gluppity-Glupp, and Schluppity-Schlupp. While the exact contents are of course secret, the topic at hand can only be the cross border raids along the seemingly lawless frontier. A riot has also been reported in the town of Gwernhoff over the inability of the Regency to defend the local populace. There were repeated calls for Count Wilhelm to step down before a squadron of dragoons dispersed the crowd.



2 July- A patrol of Hippo-Heimer Jagers were ambushed along the riverbank and killed to a man. The casualties among the attackers are unknown.



16 July- The Regency Council has declared martial law in the Grand Duchy and closed the border in the West.

The Road to War

10 March- An early thaw has caused the Iller River to rise swiftly through the month. Boat traffic on the river has been treacherous and farmers are concerned about flooding of the newly planted field.




2 April- The levee along the Bunting Canal in the Grand Duchy of Hippo-Heimer broke and flooded the town of Merlichetic. Over one thousand perished in the flood including half a company of the Grand Duke's army when the local barracks collapsed.



5 April- Grand Duke Carl Gustov and Duchess Karina have died in a horrible accident. The Royals drown after their carriage overturned at night on a trip to inspect the flood damage in the North of the Grand Duchy. The carriage evidently slipped off the road into a flooded field killing all aboard. Reports indicate The Grand Duke's escorting squad of Dragoons also all died as they valiantly tried to rescue their liege.



7 April- Grand Duke Carl Gustov's heir, young Johann has been proclaimed the new Grand Duke with a regency council to organize affairs until the youngster reaches maturity. The dead Grand Duke's cousin, Wilhelm, the Count of Keck, has been invited to lead the council.



19 April- The Kingdom of Katzenstein has dispatched a small force of soldiers to assist the Grand Duchy in providing relief to the victims of the recent floods. In other news, the Grand Duke's army reported a border clash with a large group of bandits in the hills along the northwest frontier. Twenty dragoons were lost in driving the bandits from the area before returning to the makeshift camp outside Merlichetic. The remaining bandits were last seen taking small boats up the river towards the Barony of Schluppity-Schlupp.



5 May- The Katzian force consisting of several battalions (Sneeches Seminary Regiment, Poozers Pioneer Regiment, Vavoode Voltiguer Regiment, Hartuh Mawtch Musketeer Regiment, a battery of 6lb guns, and the Boober Bay Uhlans- all commanded by Colonel O’Dell) have arrived at the town of Merlichetic. They are joined by forces of the Grand Duchy and a battalion of volunteers from Keck. The Army of Relief, as they have been dubbed has begun to repair the Bunting Canal and the local levees.



20 May- The River has reached the high water mark and is slowing beginning to recede. The levee at Merlichetic has been repaired and work continues on repairing the defenses of the flooded town. Boat traffic on the river is still scarce, but with so many bridges still out from the flooding, it is expected to pick up shortly.



22 May- The Regency Council engaged in heated debate on the course of the nation's affairs. The rampant banditry along the border continues unchecked with daily clashes between the Grand Duchy's overstretched forces and local militia, and the roving bandits. There is much speculation about the source of the bandits and if they are in fact actually a rebel movement in the making. Many eyes turn to the Kingdom of Didd as the source of the trouble, but others suggest it may be a Katzian plot to take advantage of the Grand Duchy's misfortune to annex the land. In Katzenstein, the Countessa Genessa celebrated her twenty-ninth birthday again this year.

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I am ramping up for my second imagi-nation campaign. I will finish the last 6 infantry regiments (colonial militia) I have on hand and then need to get on with the cavalry (12 x 8 figure regiments). The first battle will be a small defensive affair using Carnage and Glory II computer moderated rules.

2010 Recap and 2011 Plan

2010 was a big year in painting, but only so-so for gaming. I hope to balance things out more in 2011 but I do still have a load of lead on hand.

Overall Plans:
1- Attend the 3 HMGS conventions
2- Spend less- focus on accessories vs lead and terrain
3- Complete several projects before starting any new ones

Painting Totals for 2010:
J-94
F-52
M-24
A-116
M-144
J-0
J-99
A-253
S-137
O-118
N-213
D- 129
TOTAL:  1389

PROJECT STATUS

Flames of War: Mature - I have two large company plus size forces painted. I may purchase an item at each convention, but my pledge is to paint any FoW items within 30 days of purchase.

Modern Skirmish: In Progress- Lots of figures painted. I use Flying Lead rules by Ganesha Games. This is my go to project to play with my son when not playing the Memior '44 board game. I just bought the last of the Rebel Mini figures I want and I plan to pick up a helo and two HMMWVs at Cold Wars (QRF?). This project has one month of painting to become mature.

Imagi-Nation: In Progress. I expect to mature this project in the first half of the year. I will always continue to build as this is what started it all for me, but I will have plenty of units done for now.

Space Ships: In Progress. Have not played a game yet...but I expect to get these done before Summer as they are simple to paint, and are already primed. I need to buy some fighter stands.

Splintered Light: In Progress. My favorite figures. Need to get a game with these guys played. This is a slow and steady project just for fun.

Ancient Imagi-Nation: Ready to start. My next big project. I have figures on hand but I am not going to start until I mature the projects listed above.

Pirates: Ready to start. Figures are all on hand, but I am not going to start until 2012. I do have my eyes on some of the Old Glory ships to join the pirates.

Wild West: Future. No figures yet...I like the Blue Moon figures and may pick them up at Historicon if I finish some of the other projects.

Sci-Fi Skirmish: Future. Recently getting interested in starting 15mm Sci-fi for skirmish and squad type battles. Lots of nice figures, and some would work well as a "near-future" setting with my modern skirmish figures.


2011 PLANS
January
1- finish last of the 6 imagi-nation infantry units

February
1- 8 x 8 figure imagi-nation cavalry units

March (Cold Wars)
1- 4 x 8 figure imagination cavalry units
2- remaining imagi-nation generals
3- imagi-nation "sappers and miners"

April
1- imagi-nation civilians
2- FoW purchases from convention

May
1- imagi-nation baggage train

June
1- modern skirmish figures and vehicles

July (Historicon)
1- convention purchases
2- space ships

August
1- SL miniatures: Mice, Weasels, Fox, Raccoons
2- Review on hand figures and plan to finish by end of year

September
1-  Begin ancients

October
1- ancients

November (Fall-In)
1- ancients
2- prime figures for the winter

December
1- ancients

The 2011 plan is much more loose and fluid than my projected plans from August of 2010. I expect to only paint about 50% of the # of miniatures as in 2010 so I can game more, and to avoid burn out.

PLANNED PURCHASES
1- Remaining items from the Miniature Building Authority 15mm range...want to have 1 of each
2- a few vehicles for FoW...Marders, PZ IV, US aircraft
3- a helo and couple of HMMWVs (look at QRF)
4- replenish my basing supplies
5- continue to get one of each SL animal
6- look at the Blue Moon wild west figure
7- Sci-fi skirmish...opening a new can of worms...should wait till 2012
8- Total Scenic System has lots of great terrain bits

His Majesty's Native Infantry, Metedeconk

The second of the Native infantry units from Merica.

His Majesty's Native Infantry, Manasquan

The first of two units of native irregulars raised on the Merican colonies.

Christmas Loot

A few items recieved for Christmas:

1- Wargaming in History Volume 2
2- Issues 101-150 of Miniature Wargames on CD
3- Brushes
4- Fort Wilderness from Blue Moon...15/18mm fort